In these dire times when George W. Bush and his neocon cronies are attempting to dismantle what is left of what had once made the United States of America a beacon of hope for all humanity-- in these times when Democrats also-- are reluctant to stand by the side of Cindy Sheehan who merely asks the government why it insists that her son died for a noble cause when all unfolding facts reveal that her son died for lies told and believed--

in these dire times-- here is a film worth watching and thinking about.

As a lesson to Democrats-- a distinguished panel recalls the earliest days of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's presidency, and how he cut the Gordian knot that so incapacitated his predecessor.

Much of the discussion recalls Roosevelt's capacity for patience, pragmatism, cooperation, and leadership. A spiritual Roosevelt is also revealed.

Despite a consensus among the panelists that Roosevelt's enduring legacy was the salvation of "capitalism"-- a closer scrutiny of the film better suggests that Roosevelt's most important legacy was to revitalize America's Spirit in the direst of times. How? For the answer to that watch the generous clip which is included of Roosevelt's first inaugural address in which he describes the problems this country faced as being "mere" material challenges.

What comes through from Roosevelt's own words-- loud and clear for me-- was Roosevelt's confident belief that the sum of America's gifts are much greater than its parts, that the people cannot be excluded from solving the country's problems, and that the country should make a clean break with policies that enchained its recovery from the consequences of past gross financial malfeasance.

What gross crimes must the United States break free from in our dire times today? What sort of future legacy are our leaders defining for us today? What can be learned from Roosevelt's contribution to the American Story? What will be our story? This film raises a whole host of questions.

These are my initial thoughts after watching this film.

I believe this the most important piece of video in the archive. I encourage anyone who wants to understand history of the ÃÂUnited StatesÃÂ during a simpler yet more trying time. This video is surely the ÃÂThe Best of the BestÃÂ in the Archive.